Nutrition

Psychological disorders are the pattern of behavioural or psychological symptoms which impacts several areas of your life. They are also termed as mental disorders as they create the distress among the persons who may experience poor ability to function in their ordinary life. Types of Psychological Disorders There are different types of psychological health disorders, but the type of disorder is normally determined by the root cause. In most cases, it is determined by the peculiar symptoms a person experiences, along with any family medical history of psychological disorders. Most common types of Psychological Disorders include: ANXIETY DISORDERS Anxiety is defined as an uncomfortable feeling of fear, terror, dread or danger. A group of psychiatric conditions that involve anxiety, and are termed as Anxiety disorders. You may experience occasional anxiety which is a normal part of life but, during this disorder you may experience intense, excessive and persistent worry and fear about your regular activities. The following disorders are identified as anxiety disorders: • Agoraphobia • Generalized anxiety disorder • Selective mutism • Substance-induced anxiety disorder • Panic Disorder • Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) • Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) • Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) • Phobias, also called Social Anxiety Disorder In most instances, anxiety may be linked to an underlying health issues such as Heart disease, Diabetes, Thyroid problems, Respiratory disorders, Drug misuse, Irritable Bowel Syndrome and rare tumours. It is not always possible, to predict the cause of an anxiety disorder. So, it is better to seek immediate medical attention, if you think that you are at the risk of any of the following Anxiety disorders. MOOD DISORDERS Mood disorders are also called as affective disorders. During these disorders, your general emotional state, or mood gets swayed with your circumstances and interferes in your functional ability. You may experience frequent feelings of sadness, overly happy feelings, fluctuation from extreme happiness and even extreme sadness. Most common mood disorders are: • Major depressive disorder • Bipolar disorder • Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) • Cyclothymic disorder • Premenstrual dysphoric disorder • Persistent depressive disorder (dysthymia) • Disruptive mood dysregulation disorder • Depression related to medical illness Mood disorders in most instances can be successfully treated with medications and psychotherapy talk therapy. However, your mood disorder may not go away on its own, and it may get worse over time, if it is neglected. It could be easier to treat early on, so seek professional help before your mood disorder becomes severe. EATING DISORDERS Eating disorders are referred to an unhealthy attitude towards food, and these are related to persistent eating behaviours. This eating disorder can negatively impact important areas of life including your health, emotions and ability to function. This disorder can have a negative impact on your weight, body shape and disturb your body’s ability to absorb appropriate nutrition. Most common types of eating disorders include: • Anorexia nervosa • Bulimia nervosa • Binge-eating disorder • Rumination disorder • Avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder Eating disorders aren’t easy to manage or overcome, if you think you may have an eating disorder, it is best to seek immediate medical help. PSYCHOTIC DISORDERS Psychotic disorders are severe mental disorders that involve distorted awareness and thinking. The usual symptoms of psychotic disorders are hallucinations and delusions. People with these types of disorders lose touch with reality. These disorders can be genetic and most commonly found in people in their late teens, to early thirties and it affects men and women equally. The examples of a psychotic disorder include: • Schizophrenia • Schizoaffective disorder • Schizophreniform disorder • Brief Psychotic disorder • Delusional disorder • Substance-Induced psychotic disorder • Psychotic disorder due to a medical condition • Paraphrenia Most psychotic disorders can be treated with medication and psychotherapy. Self-help will also help in managing these psychotic disorders. However, the patients are advised to learn how to cope when these episodes occur, as it could be vital for managing a healthy, happy and fulfilling life. IMPULSE CONTROL AND ADDICTION DISORDERS Impulse Control and Addiction Disorders are considered as behavioural addictions where people have the inability to resist urges, impulses and perform acts that could be harmful to themselves or others. People with these disorders become involved with alcohol and smoking, while ignoring their responsibilities and relationships. Some of the most common types of impulse control disorders include: • Intermittent explosive disorder • Kleptomania • Pyromania • Trichotillomania • Pathological gambling An impulse control disorder co-occurs with other psychological disorders such as mood or anxiety disorders. Various psychological disorders that can occur alongside impulse control disorders: • Bipolar disorder • Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) • Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) • Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) • Conduct disorder (CD) • Oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) • Depressive disorders • Antisocial personality disorder Opting treatment for any of the following disorders will help in reducing the potential negative consequences and improve the overall quality of your life and your loved ones. Your doctor may also conduct comprehensive mental health tests and medical evaluations to analyse the condition and implement a treatment plan that is specific to your needs. So, don’t ignore your mental health, when you can take charge of it!

Dr Savita Date Menon 4 min read